The Homeschoolers Aggregate

HSA: The Immersive Fiction Game

Website:The Homeschoolers Aggregate
We play by the rules. And yet information wants to be free.

HomeSchoolers Aggregate Online is a fan creation that began in October 2006 with some short, text based “advertisements” for an online program for home schooled students. The videos shared the strict rules that participants need to follow in order to remain in the program. Many viewers questioned the relationship of these videos and the HSA website to the Lonelygirl15 production. Fans soon realized that the videos and site were an independent production that ran parallel to Bree’s story. Some viewers speculated that Bree was a former participant of the program due to HSA's strict policies. Others speculated that it was a cult, trying to lure students to enroll. As it turned out, HSA was a game that followed the idea of immersive fiction more that a traditional ARG. The HSA offered no dead-drops or computer codes to break. To participate in HSA, students need to register by the deadline and complete written tasks that often help them find the password to the class notebook, a password-protected message forum. Since HSA discourages students from interacting or socializing, the message forum is the place where students leave the answers to their “assignments.” Assignments range from replying to philosophical theories, making personal connections to philosophical ideas, responding to specific pieces of art, and even creating and sharing one’s own art work.

Students find the assignments posted on the website. Videos either reinforce a lesson’s focus, provide insight to an area of examination or offer clues to the participants to figure out the assignment’s password. At HSA, when students solve the password and are ready to post their answer in the notebook, they are said to “Bring It” to the notebook. Students who are interested are free to post their own in-character blogs that link off the HSA website.

The head of school is a woman known as Rose Marie Crandall Crowley Kelly, who is married to Phillip Crowley (no relation to Aleister). She is a very strict, yet supportive instructor who encourages her students to do their best. She expects students to follow her rules without question, and those who have questioned her have had their IP addresses banned from the site. Assignments receive responses from Ms. Kelly and student work is exhibited on the website.

Throughout each term, a back story emerges involving Ms. Kelly’s exploits and those who seem to trying to undo for reasons that remain unclear. The website offers clues, additional character blogs and links. At the end of the term, students are treated to a graduation ceremony video, an on-line yearbook and a certificate of completion. HSA has a small group of followers who seem to enjoy the intellectual stimulation of this game.

This is the first time that HSA’s creator has ever been involved in such a pursuit. Participants have been forgiving and patient as her stories unfold and her skills improve.

For an explanation of this game for potential participants, see How to Play: HSA<ref>How to Play: HSA</ref> from the HSAO website.

HSA: On the Lonelygirl15 Forum

HSA	This user heeds Ms. Kelly’s call to Study up, students!.

The Homeschoolers Aggregate appears to be a secular forum for gifted homeschoolers to receive informal assignments in and to discuss Literary Theory, Poetry, Art, and Moral and Ethical Philosophy. Whether the Aggregate is an accredited institution, and whether it supports other subjects outside the liberal arts, is unknown.

Internet fans of Bree stumbled across the HSAOnline introductory and training videos hosted on YouTube. The source of the lonelyfans' speculation that Bree is/was a student of the Homeschoolers Aggregate is unknown, but several participants of the Tribute to Lonelygirl15 Phorum flocked to register in a new session to be administered by HSAOnline's strict but supportive educator, Ms. Kelly, who continually exhorts the students to "Study up!"

Ms. Kelly and the HSAOnline administrators seem very solicitous regarding the online privacy of their student families. HSAOnline appears to be recovering from some sort of major recent hack, based on some oblique comments from Ms. Kelly.

Many of the new HSAOnline students, like many of the fans of the lonelygirl15-inspired internet game cassieiswatching, use Bukanator's forum as a secondary clubhouse to discuss the mysterious Aggregate.

Characters Often used to symbolize Ms. Kelly's relationship to fire, "Burn" is a piece by artist Kara Walker Teachers and Administrators Ms. Kelly's YouTube Channel & HSA videos on Revver --Ms. Kelly, the bright, stoic and opinionated head of HSA, spends much of her time focused on the importance of structure, order and education. For reasons that have yet to be made clear, Ms. Kelly seems to be a target for sinister people who bring trouble her way. While very supportive of her students, she is very judgmental about situations that she feels lead to immortal student behavior. TWJaniak -- The former site adminstrator on the forum, notable among the lonelyfans as the creator of a series of videos giving advice to Bree and Daniel on their growing relationship. Ms Kelly invited Mr. Janiak to be a guest speaker for the new course. TW produced a video on the topic of Truth in Friendship for the orientation class. For many Orientation 2006 students, he was viewed as a guest instructor, who offered wisdom and guidance. Professor Cedric Boone -- A professor who joined Ms. Kelly for the term in 2006. He provides help and additional instruction to students. He is also involved in what appears to be some covert work for TiKO Foundation. Notable Students to Date: taiya -- a lonelyfan puzzle solver, likely to become a star pupil in Ms Kelly's course due to her prowess with the Registration Problem. Josh -- a potential student who was briefly shunned for spoofing Ms Kelly in guestbook comments; Ms Kelly unblocked Josh before the end of Registration. Josh was subsequently blocked again for telling Ms. Kelly that he couldn't complete his assignments because he had "a life." This "life" has been made clearly evident by Josh's 3652 (and counting) forum posts. JoannaChildsface -- a lonelyfan who can be counted on for keeping students updated on Guestbook Gossip and other mysteries of HSAOnline. Violet -- a current student who corresponds with former student Lyn Mayati -- Marisa or Meritmenat Byrne, a current student who appears to reside in a different time zone from most of the HSA students. Mayati describes herself as a 17 year old girl who attends a very small school and who has religious and work chores which take up much of her time. She has hinted that she practices a minority religion which incorporates Kemetic elements, and she may have known Bree when both girls were younger. Truth_n_sc -- a new friend who helps Lyn by offering supportive suggestions and comments to her blog entries Rumored Former Students Rumored Former Students: Lyn -- a former student who seems to have been expelled from HSA. She broke Ms. Kelly's rule about contacting classmates. She and her mother, Ms. Kelly's former employee, have recently moved away from their old town, and currently reside in an unnamed town with Lyn's grandmother. Lyn stresses that she was not involved in any of the recent problems facing HSA. Bree The End of Orientation 2006 Orientation 2006 ended with a rousing speech by LordGreystoke422 entitled HSAO: What is Reality. This 18 minute and 48 second video ended the term with a presentation that they were not expecting. "It has been suggested that this was the longest graduation speech in history. Though long it is actually exceeded by others such as a noted 24 minute graduation speech once given by Warren Beatty, it is definitely the longest in HSAO history and may be one of the only Graduation speeches involving the removal of clothing." <ref>LordGreystoke422</ref> Graduates who completed the necessary assignments were issued diplomas and were treated to HSAO online yearbooks. The graduates were as follows: Amy#2 Joanna Childsface Alystra Faith Summer KT Taiya Josh D.Kimble Seige Violet Kevin Blair HSA Certificate of completion Disorientation 2006 For a short period, HSAO's director, Ms. Kelly, was institutionalized for reasons that are unclear but vaguely addressed in a video entitled Rose Kelly. There was some speculation as to whether Ms. Kelly suffered from spontaneous combustions. During this period, students were invited along on a train trip by a mysterious host/architect. This train ride turned into a surrealistic and confusing journey that led guests nowhere. Although the lounge, library and drawing room art offered much to occupy the travelers, there was little else to do but watch as guests became frustrated with the host and left one by one. Ms. Kelly jumped off of the train part way through the trip to get back to her family, her school and the consequences she faced for some fraudulent behavior. She vowed to turn things around and applied for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status for her school. Back at the helm, she began planning a new term for her students focused on technology and art. Term 2006 Students spent the term focused on examining technology and art, as well as learning from the examples set by lonelygirl15 in a series of lessons entitled Lesson from Bree. HSA became sponsored by a charitable foundation called TiKO. This foundation is rather mysterious as its sponsors choose to remain anonymous and work under the TiKO name. TiKO demanded that HSA hold a very public Open House so the sponsors could see the work of the school. Some paperwork in Ms. Kelly’s office alluded to some conflict between TiKO’s intentions and Ms. Kelly’s curriculum. Professor Boone also seemed to doing some secretive work for TiKO as stated in some emailsfound on his site. Ms. Kelly explained to her current class that she was concerned about continued funding for her non-profit school. As graduation neared, Ms. Kelly solicited some of her friends to contribute their words of wisdom for the graduation video. Contributing friends included ApotheosisAZ, Dr.Immant, Jonas, Nikki Bower, TWJaniak, Simian Liberation Front, Sister and Daniel's friend Paul. Students’ final projects were displayed on the HSA website. The graduates were for this term were as follows:<ref>HSA Final Student Exhibition 2006</ref> Faith (our dependable little spark) Joanna C. (so faithful and bright) rustydevil (whose enthusiasm was a pleasure) MysteriousC (whose gift of a ribbon left me red in the face) Fitzroy (who was no longer a stow-away, but instead an important part of our group) Ashley (who worked so hard and shared so much) KT (who convinced Ms. Kelly to loosen up a bit) Amy#2 (who is really #1 to Ms. Kelly) Momo (who came, shared and helped us grow) Jules (who I allow to remain) Luminous (who is just that) Blair (who is always level-headed and creative) Term 1 2007 HSA receives funding from anonymous sponsors through the TiKO Foundation Students were busy at work completing a variety of exercises and receiving help with class notebook passwords from Professor Boone. However, students noticed Ms. Kelly’s absence in responding to students about their class work. Professor Boone shared some information with students in the form of a notice. A video credited to The Executive Director of the TiKO Foundation explained some concern over Ms. Kelly’s last few video lessons, which seemed to be targeting Bree and her current situation. The video did not give specific information other than to say that Ms. Kelly needed to learn how to better serve her students. Along with the text, the video also showed firefighters battling a blazing building and an unknown man engaged in actions that appeared to be suspicious. Professor Cedric Boone, left to run the school in Ms. Kelly’s absence, discusses his concerns with the students. Suspicious of the sponsors, TiKO’s public relations video and Rose’s plight in the hands of these individuals, he leaves copies of sensitive material that he had delivered as his time as a go-between for TiKO and the sponsors, and posts a lesson involving pieces of art that allude to sinister behavior on the part of those holding Ms. Kelly. Surprisingly, a new video credited to HSA and TiKO is posted that includes a calm voicemail message from Ms. Kelly, who states that the seminar has “opened [her] eyes.” Professor Boone and the class are left to wonder if Ms. Kelly willfully joined forces with her captors or if she was influenced through more sinister means. Assignments Student responses to assignments are exhibited on the HSA website. These list poems, which are showcased as a response to an assignment, were created and submitted by students. Assignment 1--October 9, 2006 -First Orientation Assignment Assignment 2-- October 12, 2006 -Second Orientation Assignment Assignment 3--October 18, 2006 -Third Orientation Assignment Assignment 4- October 19, 2006 -Fourth Orientation Assignment Assignment 5- October 25, 2006 -Fifth Orientation Assignment Assignment 6- October 25, 2006 -Final Orientation Assignment Registration Task- November 23, 2006- First Academic Task of 2006 Term Open House Exhibition- Showcase of Student Work from 2006 Term Technology & Art Final Projects- Final Student Exhibition from 2006 Term Current Student Responses- On-Going Showcase of Student Work: 2007 References <references/>

Videos Orientation 2006 Videos HSA Video Opening The videos from HSA serve several purposes. They either reinforce a lesson’s focus, provide insight to a specific term topic or offer clues to the class notebook password. Sometimes, Ms. Kelly needs to share information with students, clarify students’ issues or respond to the life of young Bree. There are times when she thinks she is being clever and posts a tongue-in-cheek video. However, because she is who she is, even these videos seem to be as uptight as Ms. Kelly. HSA videos are shown both on Ms. Kelly’s YouTube channel and also on her Revver page. HSAOnline Introduction Video –First Video posted October 2, 2006 Description: Where gifted young homeschoolers meet. HSAOnline Training Video: Peer Interaction –Second Video posted October 3, 2006 Description: Appropriate ways to interact with peers at HSA. Visit us at hsao.net. We need to clarify how we help our families. TWJaniak served as an HSA guest speaker in a snowy, Friday the 13th lesson on truth and friendship. HSAOnline Training Video: Academics–Third video posted October 3, 2006 Description: Follow our rules to avoid consequences.Visit hsao.net. HSAOnline presents TWJaniak: Truth in Friendship Guest Director video posted October 13, 2006. TWJaniak’s Description: Ms. Kelly of the Homeschoolers Aggregate Online has asked that I address her students on the importance of trust within friendships. Here is my address to her students. HSAOnline Description: Guestspeaker: We are proud to present TWJaniak, sharing an important lesson for all of our students. We at HSA deeply appreciate the time TWJaniak took to provide our students with his valuable wisdom. File:Lg422hsao.jpg LordGreystoke422 served as the HSA graduation speaker in an engaging, controversial video. HSAOnline presents LordGreystoke: What is Reality? Guest Director video posted October 29, 2006 LordGreystoke's Description: A graduation speech to the Home Schooling Aggregate Online class of 2006 to help them prepare for what might soon slap them in the face: Reality. I am very flattered to have been asked to have such a prestigious honor. Thanks a million to Ms Kelly. She's the best! HSAOnline Description: We are pleased and honored to have Lord Greystoke as our keynote speaker to share his wisdom with our Orientation 2006 graduates as they end their term with us. Term 2006: Art & Technology Videos HSAOnline: A New Beginning- video posted November 17, 2006 Description: Ms. Kelly is back planning a new term. HSAOnline: Term Registration- video posted November 23, 2006 Description: How to begin the registration process HSAOnline: Learn from Bree- video posted November 27, 2006 Description: Disobey and you will pay. We explore what NOT to do to live a life of order and purity. Your peer Bree provides some valuable life lessons that can help you stay on the right track. Obey the rules, students, and everything will be just fine. Quiz Question: Can you spot the three spelling errors? Quiz Answer: "lamb"--->lam "per say"--->per se "occured"--->occurred If you got them correct: Well done! If not: Let's hang our heads in shame together, and meet for detention to write out these words 100 times each. HSAOnline: Homeless or Jonas?- video posted December 2, 2006 Description: Lessons from Bree- the current situation offers a lesson in making the right decision. Your peer, Bree, now has two options before her: Homeless or Jonas? Which would you choose, students? HSAOnline: Stay Focused- video posted December 5, 2006 Description: Please review. HSAOnline: Quick Study in Language- video posted December 7, 2006 Description: ("Blazing Truth" by Pedestrial) Class, please take note of this quick review of terms necessary in the study of Phytology. It is always important to consider wise words from the ages whenever facing challenges or seeking personal growth. Although your current answer lies in the stars, this presentation offers some extra credit. Study up, students. HSAOnline: Open House- video posted December 12, 2006 Description: ("Every Man and Every Woman is a Star" by sansdolor). Open House begins today. HSA is opening its doors to you. Come see what our gifted students have been exploring. See their thoughtful responses to art and technology; view our lessons from Bree; see students' original artwork. Our generous sponsors have allowed us the opportunity to continue providing our services to students at no cost. Visit us to see what HSA does best. Remember, education begins at home. The Open House offered an opportunity to view the HSA curriculum as well as student work from the term. HSAOnline: Lesson From Professor Boone- video posted December 13, 2006 Description: ("Nocturne" by Noman Outlander) This special lesson in physiology is for students only from Professor Boone. HSAOnline; Consider, Plan and Act- video posted December 14, 2006 Description: ("In the Blood" by Misha Nogha) Lessons from Bree- How to Use Seclusion. Students, your peer Bree is now in seclusion. There are ways she can use this time to prepare for action. Now is the time to act. Let us hope she uses her time well. HSAOnline: Good: A is so- video posted December 18, 2006 Description: ("Storm on the Sea" by Androne Sebastian) This is a call for answers. It is amazing how we solve/balance/reconcile this equation every day. This is the last time to bring it, class. HSAOnline: The End of 2006 at HSA- video posted December 26, 2006 Description: HSA shares some updates with students regarding the academic focus for our upcoming term in 2007. We will continue exploring some compelling questions about life. In addition, we will continue learning valuable life lesson by examining the most public saga of your peer Bree. You are welcome to visit us on December 29th for our exciting graduation ceremony and for our online exhibition of engaging, thoughtful student work. Enjoy the rest of your break, students! HSAOnline: Graduation 2006 (full version)- video posted December 29, 2006 Description: Leave it to a teen like Paul to show up late! Special thanks to all our friends for their support. Students, you should be proud. I am. Term 1: 2007 Videos HSAOnline: Term 1 2007 Preview- video posted January 2, 2007 Description: Lessons from Bree- In this preview of Term 1, 2007, we will explore some important lessons such as the importance of proper planning, understanding the concept of secrecy and how to identify places appropriate for ringing in the New Year. Registration begins soon. HSAOnline: Questions, Answers and More Questions- video posted January 5, 2007 Description: (Music: Requiem by Steve Dobrogosz) HSA Term 1/2007 Sometimes life offers more questions than answers. This should never discourage us though. As we continue our search, sometimes the answers we need the most reveal themselves. Join us for our next term when we will be exploring some of life’s most challenging questions. Let us explore, grow and create together. HSA holds registration from January 6th to January 10th. Visit us at http://hsao.net for more information. HSAOnline:Lessons Begin- video posted January 9, 2007 Description: On Wednesday, January 10, we will begin with the first assignment of the term. Consider for a moment whether or not people give freely, while expecting nothing in return. As human beings, we are amazing creatures. Study up, students. HSAOnline: The Importance of Listening- video posted January 11, 2007 Description: As your first assignment is due tomorrow, we should review the necessary skill of communication. Stating your ideas is most important. However, equally important is the concept of listening. We should carefully listen to each others ideas to experience the most growth. I look forward to reviewing your answers to the first question. HSAOnline: Peer Interaction: Part Two- video posted January 12, 2007 Description: As we share our condolences with young Bree, we offer guidance and suggestions to help her maintain her purity in her current surroundings. Students, always be careful in unsupervised coed situations. HSAOnline: For Shame- video posted January 15, 2007 Description: We are not surprised by the recent turn of events. We really aren't. This is a rather sad and unfunny situation, overall. HSAOnline: Consideration: A Quiz- video posted January 17, 2007 Description: This multiple choice quiz should help us all to reflect on how our words and actions affect others. Hopefully with attention to those around us, we can all lead more thoughtful and considerate lives. HSAOnline: Strangers, Pin-Monkeys and Luck- video posted January 20, 2007 Description: This lesson addresses important rules of safety. Students, you should always be cautious about who you meet. With luck, you might meet some considerate people. However, are you aware of all the risks in the world? In addition, Ms. Kelly shares her praise for Bree and her cohorts for some wise decision-making. HSAOnline: The Importance of Planning – Video posted January 23, 2007 Description: (I Dont Get It -Song by MRBIGSus) Planning for the future is always an important step in life. Students, here we weight some choices for your peer Bree to consider. We appreciate that you are listening. We do hope she is listening, too. HSAOnline: The Importance of Gratitude – Video posted January 26, 2007 Description: With much thanks to RobTomorrow for his insightful comment, we address some of the recent behavior of young Bree. Daniel and Jonas have given their devoted help to Bree. However, has she given thanks? HSA also acknowledges and thanks Nikki Bower, ApotheosisAZ, Simian Liberation Front, ColbertNationGirl and PaulMark18 for always being so polite, creative and gracious. Thank you. HSAOnline: Hard Lessons from the Executive Director – Video posted January 29, 2007 Description: The Executive Director explains the absence of Ms. Kelly. Hopefully, she with some lessons of her own, she can realize her role and duty at HSA. HSAOnline: Lessons Continue – Video posted February 2, 2007 Description: In light of the absence of Ms. Kelly and knowing what we do about her views on priorities and education, we will move forward in the curriculum. Students, you will need to use your critical viewing skills to examine some art work that you will find in a gallery on the assignments page at HSA. Let us work together to explore the deeper meanings within these images. Put forth your best efforts and I look forward to what you find. And I am eagerly waiting for you to bring it. HSAOnline: Influence – Video posted February 5, 2007 Description: HSA and TiKO are united in education. Together in knowledge and opportunity because education begins at home.